Apparatus for actuating a switching shaft operatively connected with a switchable bottom bracket bearing gear

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an apparatus for actuating a switch shaft (30) which is operatively connected with a switchable bottom bracket bearing gear (10) for a bicycle or the like, which shaft is arranged and held coaxially in a drive shaft (35) which is provided on at least one end with a torsionally rigidly arranged crank (1,2). In order to achieve a change in the rotational speed a first coupling member (23) is arranged on the drive shaft (35), which member is displaceable in the axial direction by means of the switch shaft (30), as a result of which the power transmission elements of the bottom bracket bearing gear (10) can be brought into form-locked and non-positive engagement with one another. For the movement which is oriented in the axial direction a control body (45) is provided at the other end of the drive shaft, which body is operatively connected by way of a second coupling member (40) with the switch shaft (30) and is displaceable during the swivelling movement, which is oriented about the longitudinal axis (X), in the axial direction relative to a fixed casing element (25) which is provided with at least one actuating member (27). The swivelling movement of the control body (45) is achieved, for example, by an actuating member which is operatively connected with the same and is swivellable about the longitudinal axis (X).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for actuating a switch shaft whichis operatively connected with a switchable bottom bracket bearing gearfor a bicycle or the like and is held in a hollow-cylindrical driveshaft, which switch shaft is jointly displaceable relative to the driveshaft in the axial direction with the first coupling member which isarranged at the one end of the drive shaft rotatable about itslongitudinal axis and is to be connected in a form-locked manner withthe power-transmitting functional elements of the bottom bracket bearinggear.

Switchable bottom bracket bearing gears for a bicycle or the like areknown from specifications (EP-A 0 562 470 and EP-A 0 666 212) in which acoupling member operatively connected with a switch shaft as well as adrive shaft can be brought into engagement with a chain wheel or with asun wheel arranged at a distance therefrom or vice-versa for the purposeof achieving a change in the rotational speed, with the movement of theswitch shaft oriented in the axial direction for the switching operationbeing effected by means of a switching member which is arranged on theoutside of the crank and can be actuated with the foot. The individualswitching member can be arranged either in the form of a thrust memberarranged in a recess of the crank and in the shape of a button, or inthe form of a longitudinal thrust member which is held on the outer sideof the crank and is deflectable relative thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of providing an apparatus by meansof which the axial displacement of the individual functional elementswhich is required for the change in speed is facilitated substantiallywhilst retaining a precise switching operation and secure handling.

This object is achieved pursuant to the invention in such a way that asecond coupling member is arranged on the other end of the switch shaftand is operatively connected with a control body held on the drive shaftin such a way that in the case of swivelling movement of the controlbody which is oriented about the longitudinal axis, which body isconnected with at least one actuating member, the said control body ismoved in the axial direction together with the switch shaft and in thisprocess the first coupling member, which is arranged on the drive shaftand is displaceable in the axial direction relatively thereto, can bebrought into engagement, depending on the swivelling direction, for theform-locked and non-positive operative connection of the functionalelements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further features and embodiments of the invention arise from thedescription below in conjunction with the patent claims and the drawing.The invention is explained below by reference to the enclosed drawing,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a bottom bracket bearing for a bicycle or the like in aprojection and partly a sectional view with associated switchable bottombracket bearing gear as well as a first embodiment of an apparatus foractuating the bottom bracket bearing gear;

FIG. 2 shows in a projection a section of the bottom bracket bearingpursuant to FIG. 1 with a second embodiment of the apparatus foractuating the bottom bracket bearing gear;

FIG. 3 shows in a projection a section of the bottom bracket bearingpursuant to FIG. 1 with a third embodiment of the apparatus foractuating the bottom bracket bearing gear;

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment of the apparatus for actuating thebottom bracket bearing gear in a sectional view pursuant to the lineIV--IV in FIG. 1 as well as on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment of the apparatus for actuating thebottom bracket bearing gear in a sectional view pursuant to the lineV--V in FIG. 1 as well as on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 shows the first embodiment of the apparatus for actuating thebottom bracket bearing gear in a longitudinal section pursuant to theline VI--VI in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 shows the first embodiment of the apparatus for actuating thebottom bracket bearing gear in a longitudinal section pursuant to theline VII--VII in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 shows a section of a control body for the apparatus pursuant toFIGS. 6 and 7 for actuating the bottom bracket bearing gear in adeveloped and top view;

FIG. 9 shows in a longitudinal section the second embodiment of theapparatus pursuant to FIG. 2 for actuating the bottom bracket bearinggear in a first position;

FIG. 10 shows the apparatus pursuant to FIG. 9 in a second position;

FIG. 11 shows the apparatus for actuating the bottom bracket bearinggear pursuant to FIG. 1 in a section pursuant to line XI--XI in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows in a longitudinal section the third embodiment of theapparatus pursuant to FIG. 3 for actuating the bottom bracket bearinggear in a first position;

FIG. 13 shows the apparatus pursuant to FIG. 12 in a second position;

FIG. 14 shows the apparatus for actuating the bottom bracket bearinggear in a section pursuant to the line XIV--XIV in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 shows a section of the apparatus pursuant to FIG. 12 with guidegrooves arranged on a control body in a projection and partly in asectional view;

FIG. 16 shows a section of the apparatus pursuant to FIG. 12 in a sideview pursuant to the direction of the arrow XVI;

FIG. 17 shows in a longitudinal section a variant of the apparatuspursuant to FIG. 12 in a first position, which apparatus is arranged foractuating the bottom bracket bearing gear;

FIG. 18 shows the apparatus pursuant to FIG. 17 in a second position;

FIG. 19 shows a section of a control body for the apparatus pursuant toFIGS. 17 and 18 in a sectional view; and

FIG. 20 shows in a projection a section of a coupling member for theapparatus pursuant to FIGS. 17 and 18 which is in engagement with thecontrol body pursuant to FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of better explaining the invention, FIG. 1 shows abottom bracket bearing 150 for a bicycle or the like in a projection andpartly in a sectional view. At the one end of the bottom bracket bearing150 there is arranged a switchable bottom bracket bearing gear 10 whichis in operative connection with an apparatus 115 which is arranged atthe other end and is used for actuating the bottom bracket bearing gear10. FIG. 2 shows as a second embodiment an apparatus 120 for actuatingthe bottom bracket bearing gear 10 (FIG. 1), which apparatus is shownschematically and is arranged on the bottom bracket bearing. One canrecognise the functional elements 1, 5,3 0, 35, 35" and 60, 64 which areoperatively connected thereto. FIG. 3 shows as a third and fourthembodiment apparatuses 125 and 130 with the functional elements 1, 5,30, 35, 35" and 80 for actuating the bottom bracket bearing gear 10(FIG. 1), which apparatuses are shown in a schematical view and arearranged on the bottom bracket bearing. The individual embodiments ofthe apparatuses 115, 120 or 125 and 130 as well as the constructionaldetails of the same will be described in connection with FIGS. 4 to 20in detail.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the bottom bracket bearing 150 substantiallycomprises a hollow-cylindrical bottom bracket bearing casing 5, a driveshaft 35 which is held therein coaxially and is also arrangedhollow-cylindrically, the bottom bracket bearing gear 10 which isoperatively connected thereto and the cranks 1 and 2 which are arrangedon the ends 35' and 35" of the drive shaft 35 which are mutuallydistanced in the axial direction. The two cranks 1, 2 are operativelyconnected with the drive shaft 35 in a manner not explained in closerdetail and are jointly rotatable together with the same about alongitudinal axis X of the drive shaft 35 in the direction of arrow Y.

The bottom bracket bearing gear 10 shown in the embodiment and in asectional view in FIG. 1 comprises a gear casing 11 which is heldcoaxially in the bottom bracket bearing casing 5 with an attached tubebody 11'. In the inner space of the gear casing 11, which is notdesignated in closer detail, there are arranged a sun wheel 20 as wellas at least two planet wheels which are distributed in thecircumferential direction. At a parallel distance from the sun wheel 20a chain wheel 6 provided with an external toothing 7 is held on thedrive shaft 35. Bearing pins 17 are provided on the chain wheel 6, whichpins are distributed in the circumferential direction, are arranged forbearing the planet wheels 15 and on which a planet wheel 15 is arrangedwhich is held rotatably in the direction of the arrow Y' about thelongitudinal axis X' of the same. The planet wheels 15, which areprovided with an external toothing 16, are in engagement, on the onehand, with an inner toothing 12 of the gear casing 11 and, on the otherhand, with an external toothing 21 of the sun wheel 20.

The chain wheel 6 as well as the disc-like sun wheel 20 are eachprovided with a recess 8 and 22, respectively, which is limited by awall not designated in greater detail. The chain wheel 6 is providedwith a first snap-in device 9 on the undesignated inner wall of therecess 8, which snap-in device comprises several snap-in elements (notshown) which are arranged mutually distributed in the circumferentialdirection. The sun wheel 20 is provided on the undesignated inner wallof the recess 22 with a second snap-in device 19 which also comprisesseveral snap-in elements (not shown) which are arranged mutuallydistributed in the circumferential direction. A first coupling member 23which is displaceable in the axial direction is arranged on the driveshaft 35 between the chain wheel 6 and the sun wheel 20. The firstcoupling member 23 is provided on the one side with a first snap-indevice 24 and on the other side with a second snap-in device 24'. Thefirst coupling member 23 is operatively connected by way of the drivingelement 18 with a switch shaft 30 penetrating the drive shaft 35 in theaxial direction. The driving element 18 is guided in slots 36 and 36'which are oriented in a respective manner in the axial direction and arearranged in the drive shaft 35 diametrically opposite from one another.The drive shaft 35 comprises a through bore 37 which is oriented in theaxial direction and in which the switch shaft 30 is arranged coaxiallyand is held with means (not shown).

A compression spring 32 and 32' is arranged on either side of thedriving element 18 which is arranged on the switch shaft 30, whichsprings are adjustable by means of two stops 31 and 31' which aredisplaceable in the axial direction on the switch shaft 30 and arefixably arranged. As a result of a translatory motion of the switchshaft 30 oriented in the direction of arrow Z, the coupling member 23,with the snap-in device 24', can be brought into a form-lockingengagement with the associated snap-in device 19 of the sun wheel 20 ina manner which is not shown in closer detail. As a result of a movementof the switch shaft 30 oriented oppositely in the direction of arrow Z',the other snap-in device 24 of the coupling member 23 can be broughtinto a form-locking engagement with the snap-in device 9 of the chainwheel 6, as is shown in FIG. 1.

The embodiment of the apparatus 115 which is arranged on the crank 150and is shown in a projection in FIG. 1 comprises a first actuatingmember 55 which is arranged on the crank casing 5 as well as a secondactuating member 50 which is operatively connected to the same. Atension member 116 is arranged on the second actuating member 50 and isfastened in a manner which is not shown. With the help of the tensionmember 116 the two actuating members 50 and 55 can be pivoted about thecommon longitudinal axis X. Depending on the swivelling movement (FIG.4) of the two actuating members 50, 55 which is oriented in thedirection of the arrow R or R', the functional elements which areoperatively connected to the same cause the movement of switch shaft 30oriented in the axial direction Z or Z' (FIG. 1) as well as therespective switching function of the bottom bracket bearing gear 10. Theindividual functional elements which are operatively connected with thetwo actuating members 50, 55 and the switch shaft 30 are described belowin closer detail by reference to the FIGS. 4 to 8.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus 115 along the line IV--IV in FIG. 1 in asectional view and on an enlarged scale. One can recognise the firstactuating member 55, a casing element 25, a control body 45, thehollow-cylindrical drive shaft 35 and a second coupling member 40 whichis operatively connected with the switch shaft 30 and is arranged in abore 37'. On the inner wall 57' of the first actuating member 55, whichwall is limited in the radial direction by a annulus-shaped flange 56,there are arranged projections 57" mutually distributed over thecircumferential direction. Shoulders 56" are provided on the one side ofthe projections 57", which shoulders are attached thereto and areoriented parallel to the inner side 56' of the annulus-shaped flange 56.A compression spring is arranged between the projections 57" which aremutually distributed in the circumferential direction, with twocompression springs 29 and 29' being shown in FIG. 4 for example. Thecompression springs 29, 29' are supported with the one end on respectivestops 28 which are respectively arranged on the casing element 25distributed over the circumferential direction as well as on the faceedge (not designated in closer detail) of the shoulder 56" and with theother end on the face side (not designated in closer detail) of therespectively associated projection 57". Respectively arranged bores 59,59' are provided in the projections 57" of the first actuating member 55for receiving fastening screws 43 (FIG. 7). Actuating members 27 arearranged in the casing element 25 mutually distributed in thecircumferential direction and are fastened with means which are notshown. The actuating members 27 are arranged with an attached nose 27'in respective guide grooves 48 which are arranged mutually distributedon the circumference of the control body 45. Stop cams 58' are arrangedon the inner wall 57' of the first actuating member 55 mutuallydistributed in the circumferential direction, which cams engage in acoupling manner in respectively associated recesses 46 of the controlbody 45. The control body 45 is operatively connected in a torsionallyrigid manner with the first actuating member 55 by means of the stopcams 58'.

In the embodiment of the elements 55, 25 and 45 which are partly shownin FIG. 4, three projections 57", compression springs 29, stops 28,actuating members 27 and stop cams 58' are provided in an arrangementdistributed over the circumferential direction. It is also possible toprovide only two or even several elements 57"; 29; 28; 27 and 58'arranged mutually distributed in the circumferential direction.

In FIG. 5 the apparatus 115 is shown in a sectional view along the lineV--V in FIG. 1 and on an enlarged scale. One can recognise the secondactuating member 50 which is provided with an arc-shaped sectionalelement 52 and the partly shown first actuating member 55 and the partlyshown crank casing 5. The second actuating member 50 is arranged with anattached disc-shaped flange 51 in an annular groove 25" of the casingelement 25. In the sectional element 52, which is shown in FIG. 5 in apartly opened view, an arcshaped groove 53 is arranged which is limitedby a wall 53' and in which the tension member 116 as shown in FIG. 1 isarranged and fastened. Moreover, the partly shown pipe body 11' is shownin FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows the first apparatus 115, which is shown as a longitudinalsection according to line VI--VI in FIG. 4, for actuating the bottombracket bearing gear 10 and one can recognise the bottom bracket bearingcasing 5, the end piece of the pipe body 11' of the gear casing 11 (FIG.1), the drive shaft 35 which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis Xas well as a section of the switch shaft 30 which is arranged coaxiallytherein. A rolling bearing 13 is arranged on the drive shaft 35 betweena thrust collar 14 screwed on to the second section 35" of the same andthe face side of the tube body 11'.

Moreover, one can recognise in FIG. 6 the second actuating member 50which is shown in a profile section, the first actuating element 55which is operatively connected to the same and is shown in a profilesection, the casing element 25 which is arranged coaxially in the bottombracket bearing casing 5 with a cylindrical section 25' and is fixedlyconnected with the pipe body 11' by a screwed connection as well as thecontrol body 45 which is provided with an inner hub ring 47 and with anouter control ring 47'. The casing element 25 which is provided on theouter circumference with the stops 28 for the compression spring 29comprises an annulus-shaped shoulder 25" on which the second actuatingmember 50 with the annulus-shaped flange 51 is arranged and held. Thesecond actuating member 50 comprises on the outer circumference of thesegment element 52 the groove 53 which is limited by the wall 53' aswell as an annulus-shaped shoulder 52' on which the first actuatingmember 55 with the annulus-shaped flange 56 is arranged and held.

The first actuating member 55 comprises the annulus-shaped flange 56 afirst face wall 57 which is attached thereto as well as anannulus-shaped second face wall 58 which is attached thereto.Projections 57" are attached on the inner wall 57' of the first facewall 57 and are mutually distributed in the circumferential direction(FIG. 4). In the zone of the second face wall 58 the stop cams 58' arearranged on the inner side (not designated) of the said wall, which camsare arranged mutually distributed and engage into the recesses 46 of thecontrol body 45. The control body 45 comprises the guide grooves 48which are arranged distributed on the outer control ring 47' in thecircumferential direction and in which the pins 27' of the actuatingmembers 27 are guided, which members are arranged in the casing element25 and are fastened by means which are not shown. The hub ring 47 of thecontrol body 45 is provided with an annular groove 49 in which a drivingpin 39 is arranged and guided, which pin is operatively connected withthe drive shaft 35 and with the coupling member 40 which is arranged inthe bore 37' thereof.

The driving pin 39, which is provided with a head 39' provided with anoffset arrangement, is guided in longitudinal slots 38, 38' which arerespectively oriented in the axial direction and are arrangeddiametrically towards one another on the drive shaft 35. The driving pin39 which is arranged transversally to the longitudinal axis X is held onthe second coupling element 40. The coupling element 40 comprises asection 40' which is provided with an inner thread and in which theswitch shaft 30 provided with a thread 30' is screwed in and is held bya nut 33. At the forward end the coupling element 40 is provided with arecess 40" which is oriented in the axial direction. A compressionspring 34' is arranged in the recess 40", which spring is in engagementwith the one end on the switch shaft 30 and with the other end with asnap-in ball 34. The snap-in ball 34 is arranged in a notch 39" providedon the driving pin 39 in such a way that the driving pin 39 with thehead 39' provided at the end is arranged and guided centrally withrespect to the longitudinal axis X in the annular groove 39 of thecontrol body 45.

FIG. 7 shows the second actuating member 50 represented in a profilesection and the first actuating member 55, which is operativelyconnected to the same and is shown in a profile section, according tothe line VII--VII in FIG. 4 also in a longitudinal sectional view.Departing from FIG. 6, in the second actuating member 50 pursuant toFIG. 7 there is represented a bore 54, 54' for fastening the tensionmember 116 (FIG. 1) arranged in the arc-shaped groove 53. Moreover, FIG.7 shows a bore 59 and 59', arranged in the area of the projection 57",to receive a fastening screw 43 which mutually connects the twoactuating members 55 and 50 and is preferably arranged in the zone ofthe projections 57" which are distributed in the circumferentialdirection. On the inner side of the face wall 58 of the first actuatingmember 55 there is arranged at least one snap-in cam 58'. Preferablysnap-in cams 58' are arranged which are distributed in thecircumferential direction which in the compiled condition (FIG. 7)engage in a form-locked and non-positive manner in the recesses 46 ofthe control body 45 which are arranged in a distributed manner on thecircumference of the outer control ring 47". Moreover, FIG. 7 shows thecontrol body 45 with the inner hub ring 47 and the outer control ring47' as well as the elements 5; 11'; 13; 14; 25; 30; 33; 35; 35"; 39 and40 which have been described above in detail in connection with FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows in a developed view a section of the control body 45 forthe apparatus 115 on an enlarged scale and one can recognise the innerhub ring 47 with the annular groove 49 arranged therein for the headelement 39' of the driving pin 39 (FIGS. 6,7) as well as the outercontrol ring 47'. On the outer control ring 47' there are arranged therecesses 46, which are arranged at a distance from one another, for thesnap-in cams 58' (FIG. 7) of the first actuating member 55 as well asthe guide grooves 48 which are arranged in between and are arrangedsubstantially as curved paths. In the represented embodiment the controlbody 45 is provided with three recesses 46 which are arrangeddistributed in the circumferential direction and are limited by a wall46' as well as with three guide grooves 48 which are arranged inbetween. The single guide groove 48 comprises a section 48' which isarranged with a theoretical first axis S parallel to the theoreticallongitudinal axis X as well as a section 48" which is arranged inclinedwith a second axis S' with respect to the first axis S under an acuteangle α and which is provided with a round-off at the end. The section48" of the guide groove 48 is limited in the represented embodiment bywall 46" of the outer control ring 47'. The acute angle α, which existsbetween the two axes S and S', of the section 48" with respect to thefirst section 48' is 45° for example. In a modification (not shown) itis also possible to arrange the second section 48" of the guide groove48 continuously, i.e. without the wall 46'.

FIG. 9 shows the second apparatus 120 pursuant to FIG. 4, represented asa longitudinal section and on an enlarged scale. It is used foractuating the bottom bracket bearing gear 10 and one can recognise thebottom bracket bearing gear casing 5, the end element of the pipe body11', a casing element 65 with the cylindrical section 65', the driveshaft 35, the rolling bearing 13 which is held thereon against axialdisplacement by the thrust collar 14, the switch shaft 30 provided withthe threaded element 30' as well as a coupling element 41. The couplingelement 41 is arranged in the bore 37, 37' of the drive shaft 35 and isscrewed on to the threaded element 30' of the switch shaft 30 with thesection 41' and is secured by the nut 33. The elements as mentionedabove are arranged substantially analogously to the first apparatus 115(FIGS. 6, 7).

Departing from the first apparatus 115 pursuant to FIGS. 4 to 8 thesecond apparatus 120 pursuant to FIGS. 9 to 11 comprises an actuatingmember 60 with the approximate shape of a hood as well as a control body70 provided with a control ring 71. Several guide grooves 72 arearranged on the control ring 71 distributed in the circumferentialdirection, with FIG. 9 only showing the one guide groove 72. The layoutand arrangement of the guide grooves 72 arranged on the control ring 71of the control body 70 corresponds for example to the embodiment of thecontrol body 85 which is described in an analogous manner below inconnection with FIG. 15.

In the second apparatus 120 pursuant to FIG. 9 the control body 70 is inoperative connection with the drive shaft 35 by way of a driving pin 42which is guided in an inner annular groove 74 thereof and in thelongitudinal slots 38, 38' of the second section 35" of the drive shaft35 as well as with the switch shaft 30 by way of a coupling element 41which is arranged therein. In the control body 70 there is provided abore 73 which is arranged transversally to the longitudinal axis X andis preferably arranged as a pocket hole and in which the driving pin 42is inserted and is secured by a screw 75 arranged transversally thereto.The screw 75 is screwed into a thread 75' (FIG. 10) provided on thecontrol body 70. In a modification which is not shown in closer detail,the driving pin 42 is arranged as a so-called dowel pin and is held in aself-clamping manner in the coupling element 41, so that an additionalsecuring by the screw 75 is not necessary.

At least two, but preferably several actuating members 66 distributedover the circumferential direction are arranged on the casing element65. The individual actuating member 66 which is held with a threadedelement in the casing element 65 comprises an attached pin 66' whichengages in the guide groove 72 which is arranged on the outercircumference of the control ring 71. Several guide grooves 72 andactuating members 66 (FIG. 11) distributed in the circumferentialdirection are arranged for example on the control ring 71 of the controlbody 70.

Departing from the first position as shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10 shows theapparatus 120 in a second position in which the control body 70 isrepresented in a displaced manner by a swivelling movement of theactuating member 60 oriented about the longitudinal axis X in thedirection of arrow R (FIG. 11) relative to the face side (notdesignated) of the casing element 65. In this position (FIG. 10) theindividual elements of the bottom bracket bearing gear 10 (FIG. 10) arearranged with respect to one another in such a way that the couplingelement 23 is in engagement by the snap-in device 24' with theassociated snap-in device 19 of the sun wheel 20 (not shown).

As is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the actuating element 60, which isarranged approximately in the shape of a hood and is provided with aninner chamber 60', comprises a first face wall 61, a second face wall 62which is attached thereto in an inclined way as well as anannulus-shaped flange 63 which is attached thereto. The actuating member60 is held with the annulus-shaped flange 63 on the outer diameter ofthe casing element 65. In the apparatus 120 pursuant to FIGS. 9 and 10the elements which are required for the change of the rotational speedin the bottom bracket bearing gear 10 (FIG. 1) are arranged in the innerchamber 60' of the actuating member 60 and protected against outsidemanipulation and soiling. A bracket 64 is arranged and fastened on theouter circumference of the actuating member 60 for fastening a tensionmember or the like, which bracket can be used to actuate the apparatus120 for the change in rotational speed of the bottom bracket bearinggear 10 (FIG. 1) in a manner which is not shown.

FIG. 11 shows the apparatus 120 in a sectional view along the lineXI--XI in FIG. 9 and one can recognise the outer annulus-shaped flange63 of the actuating member 60, the casing element 65, the control body70 with the control ring 71, the second section 35" of the drive shaft35 as well as the coupling element 41. The coupling element 41 isoperatively connected with the control body 70 by way of the driving pin42. The driving pin 42 is guided in the slots 38, 38' of the drive shaft35 in the axial direction (FIGS. 9,10) as well as in the inner annulargroove 74 of the control body 70 in the circumferential direction (FIG.11) and secured by the screw 75. Moreover, the actuating members 66 areshown which are arranged in the casing element 65, are distributed overthe circumference and each engage with the attached pin 66' in the guidegrooves 72 which are arranged on the outer circumference of the controlring 71.

At least two, but preferably several second actuating members 76 arearranged in the circumferential direction distanced from one another onthe outer circumference of the actuating member 60. The second actuatingmembers 76 are screwed into the outer annulus-shaped flange 63 of theactuating member 60 with a threaded element 76' and are arranged with anattached pin 76" in a recess 67 of the casing element 65. The individualactuating member 76 is arranged with the pin 76" in a form-locked mannerin an associated recess 77 of the control body 70, which recess isarranged as a pocket hole. The recess 67 arranged for the guidance ofthe actuating member pin 76" is limited by two distanced walls 67' and67". The outer annulus-shaped flange 63 can also be arranged in such away that the screwed-in actuating members 76 are aligned flush with theouter surface (not shown).

As a result of the second actuating members 76 which are arrangeddistributed in the circumferential direction the actuating member 60 isoperatively connected with the control body 70. During the swivellingmovement of the actuating member 60 which is oriented about thelongitudinal axis X in the direction of arrow R (FIG. 11), the controlbody 70 is displaced by the forced guidance of pin 76" in the guidegroove 72 in the inner chamber 60' relative to the face side (notdesignated) of the fixed casing element 65 in accordance with thedirection of arrow Z (FIG. 10). During the swivelling movement of theactuating member 60 which is oriented oppositely in the direction of thearrow R', the control body 70 is pushed back to the end positionpursuant to FIG. 9 according to the direction of the arrow Z'. Theswivelling movement of the mutually operatively connected elements 60and 70 relative to the fixed casing element 65 is limited by theactuating members 76 which can be brought into engagement with the walls67',67" of the recesses 67.

FIG. 12 shows the third apparatus 125, represented in a longitudinalsection, for the actuation of the bottom bracket bearing gear 10(FIG. 1) and one can recognise the bottom bracket bearing gear casing 5,the end element of the pipe body 11', a casing element 80 with thecylindrical section 80', the drive shaft 35 provided with the bore 37,37', the rolling bearing 13 which is held thereon with the thrust collar14 against axial displacement, the switch shaft 30 provided with thethreaded element 30' and the coupling element 41. The coupling element41 is arranged in the forward bore 37' of the drive shaft 35 and screwedon to the threaded element 30' of the switch shaft 30 with the section41' and secured by nut 33. The elements as mentioned above are arrangedsubstantially analogously to the second apparatus 120.

Departing from the second apparatus 120 pursuant to FIGS. 9 to 11, inthe third embodiment of the apparatus 125 pursuant to FIGS. 12 to 16 thecontrol body 85 for the change of rotational speed of the bottom bracketbearing gear 10 (FIG. 1) is achieved by means of a lever 82 which isswivellable about the horizontal longitudinal axis X. The lever 82 whichis operatively connected with the control body 85 is provided at theupper end with an opening 82' which is arranged for fastening thetension and thrust members 3 and 4 which are shown schematically in FIG.16.

The apparatus 125 further comprises the control body 85 which isarranged in the casing element 80 and is provided with a control ring86. Several guide grooves 87, which are arranged distributed in thecircumferential direction, are provided on the control ring 86, with thearrangement thereof being described below in connection with FIG. 15. Atleast two, but preferably several actuating members 81 distributed inthe circumferential direction are arranged on the casing element 80,which members engage in the respectively associated guide groove 87 ofthe control body 85 with an attached pin 81'.

The control body 85 is provided on the face side with a section 85'which is arranged for example, polygonally, but preferably hexagonallyin the profile cross section, and on which the lever 82 is arranged witha similarly arranged recess (not shown) and is operatively connected ina form-locking manner with the control body 85. The lever 82 is securedagainst axial displacement by a snap ring 83 which is inserted in anannular groove 84 arranged in the section 85'. The control body 85 isprovided with an inner annular groove 88 in which at least two drivingbolts 90 and 91 which are arranged equiaxed with respect to one anotherand are held in the coupling member 41 are guided in an engaging manner.The driving bolts 90 and 91 are arranged in a bore 41" of the couplingmember 41, which bore is oriented transversally to the longitudinal axisX. The two driving pins 90 and 91 which are guided in the longitudinalslots 38, 38' of the drive shaft 35 are each provided on the facing endswith a pocket-hole-shaped recess 90' and 91'. As is shown in FIG. 12partly in a sectional view, a compression spring 92 is arranged in thecompiled condition between the driving pin 90 and 91, which spring isheld with the one end in the recess 90' and with the other end in therecess 91'. The compression spring 92 causes the driving pins 90 and 91,which are guided in the slots 38 and 38' of the drive shaft 35 and areoperatively connected with t he coupling element 41, to be held incontact with the preferably rounded-off ends (not designated) in theannular groove 88 of the control body 85. The coupling element 41 withthe individual elements which is held in the bore 37, 37' of the driveshaft 35 is operatively connected with the 12 switch shaft 30, as hasbeen explained above in connection with FIG. 9.

Departing from the first position as is represented in FIG. 12, FIG. 13shows the apparatus 125 in a second position in which the control body85 is displaced in the axial direction by a swivelling movement of thelever 82 relative to the face side 80" of the casing element 80according to the direction of arrow Z. In this position the individualelements of the bottom bracket bearing gear 10 (FIG. 1) are arrangedwith respect to one another in such a way that the coupling member 23 isin engagement with the one snap-in device 24' with the associatedsnap-in device 19 of the sun wheel 20 (not show n). Moreover, one cansee in FIG. 13 the elements 5; 11'; 13; 14; 30; 33; 35; 41; 90 and 91 ashave been described above in connection with FIG. 12.

In FIG. 14 the apparatus 125 is shown along the line XIV--XIV in FIG. 13in a sectional view, and one can recognize the casing element 80 and theguide grooves 87 for the pins 81' of the actuating members 81, whichgrooves are arranged on the outer circumference of the control body 85at a distance from one another. Moreover, one can see the couplingelement 41 which is held in the second section 35" of the drive shaft 35as well as the driving pins 90 and 91 which are arranged therein and aredistanced by the compression spring 92 and are arranged with the one end(not designated) in the annular groove 88.

FIG. 15 shows the apparatus 125 in a projection and partly in asectional view. One can recognize the bottom bracket bearing gear casing5, the partly shown casing element 80, the control body 85, the driveshaft 35, the thrust collar 14, the rolling bearing 13, the lever 82which is arranged on the control body 85, the section 35" of the driveshaft 35 which penetrates the control body 85 as well as the switchshaft 30 arranged therein. Moreover, FIG. 15 shows the guide grooves 87which are arranged on the outer circumference of the control ring 86 andwhich are arranged as oblong recesses which are rounded off at the ends.The guide grooves 87 are arranged with their axis of symmetry S"obliquely under an acute angle α' with respect to the theoreticallongitudinal axis X of apparatus 125, with the acute angle α' being 45°for example.

FIG. 16 shows the apparatus 125, which is shown in a side view pursuantto the direction of arrow XVI in FIG. 12, for actuating the switchablebottom bracket bearing gear 10 pursuant to FIG. 1 and one can recognizethe casing element 80, the second section 35" of the drive shaft 35, thecarrying element 85' of the control body 85, which element is preferablyarranged as a hexagon for example, as well as the lever 82 which issecured by the snap ring 83. At the upper end of the lever 82 there areattached two tension and thrust members 3 and 4 in the opening 82',which members are shown schematically and by means of which the lever 82is pulled in the direction of the arrow 3' and 4' and can be swivelledsimultaneously together with the control body 85 and the elements whichare operatively connected thereto about the horizontal axis X. Theswivelling movement of the lever 82 which is oriented according to thedirection of arrow 3" and 4", and of the control body 85 which isoperatively connected thereto, is limited by the length (not designated)of the guide grooves 87 (FIG. 15).

FIGS. 17 and 18 shows as a further modification the apparatus 130 in alongitudinal section, which apparatus is arranged for actuating thebottom bracket bearing gear 10 (FIG. 1). One can recognize the bottombracket bearing gear casing 5, the end portion of the pipe body 11',cylindrical element 80 with the cylindrical section 80', the drive shaft35, the rolling bearing 13 which is held thereon against axialdisplacement by the thrust collar 14, the switch shaft 30 which isprovided with the threaded element 30' as well as a coupling element 100which is operatively connected thereto. The coupling element 100 isarranged in the bore 37' of the drive shaft 35 and is screwed with therear section 104 on to the threaded element 30' of the switch shaft 30and is secured by the nut 33. The aforementioned elements are arrangedsubstantially analogously to the aforementioned apparatus 125 which hasbeen described in connection with the FIGS. 12 to 16. Moreover, one canrecognize in FIG. 17 and 18 a control body 95, which is arranged in thecasing element 80, with a lever 82 which is arranged thereon and is heldon the control body 95 by means of a snap ring 93 arranged in an annulargroove 94. The control body 95 is provided with a control ring 96 whichis provided with guide grooves 97 which are distributed with respect toone another on its outer circumference. The guide grooves 97 arearranged and provided analogously to the guide grooves 87 which weredescribed above in connection with FIG. 15 and are provided on thecontrol ring 86 of the control body 85. Moreover, FIGS. 17 and 18 showthe actuating member 81 which is arranged in the casing element 80 andis arranged with the pin 81' in the guide groove 97 of the control body95. Departing from the position as shown in FIG. 17, FIG. 18 shows theapparatus 130 in a second position. Here the control body 95 isdisplaced relative to the face side 80" of the casing element 80according to the direction of arrow Z (FIG. 17).

In the variant pursuant to FIG. 17 the control body, which is providedin its inner space with an inner jacket surface 95' (FIG. 19) arrangedin a graduated manner, is in an operative connection by way of at leasttwo first cylinder pins 105, 105', which are distributed in thecircumferential direction, as well as by way of at least two secondcylinder pins 107, 107', which are arranged in the axial direction at adistance therefrom and are distributed in the circumferential direction,with the coupling element 100 which is provided with a jacket surface100' (FIG. 20) arranged in a graduated manner. The cylinder pins 105,105' as well as 107, 107' which are arranged between the inner jacketsurface 95' of the control body 95 and the outer jacket surface 100' ofthe coupling element 100 are arranged in the second section 35" of thedrive shaft 35 in respectively arranged bores 106, 106' and 108, 108'which are mutually separated by a bridge 109, 109'. The cylinder pins105, 105' and 107, 107' are rounded off at the respective ends whichface the two jacket surfaces 95' and 100', with the rounding offpreferably being arranged in a spherical shape.

At this point notice shall be taken that in a variant which is not shownit is also possible to provide superimposed balls (not shown) in thebores 106, 106' and 108, 108' of the second section 35" of the driveshaft 35 instead of the cylinder pins 105, 105' and 107, 107'.

FIG. 19 shows a section of the control body 95 which is shown on anenlarged scale as well as in a sectional view. One can recognize thecontrol ring 96 which is provided with a cylindrical recess 96', theguide groove 97 which is provided with a cylindrical recess 96', the oneguide groove 97 which is arranged on the outer circumference thereon aswell as the section with the inner space 95" which is in connection withthe recess 96'. The inner space 95" is provided with a jacket surface95' which is arranged in a graduated manner and is provided with twocylindrical ring surfaces 98, 98' which are distanced in the axialdirection and two conical sliding surfaces 99, 99' which are situatedadjacent thereto and are inwardly inclined as well as a cylindrical ringsurface 98' which connects the two conical sliding surfaces 99, 99'.

In FIG. 20 the coupling element 100 with the end element 104 which isattached thereto is shown in a projection and one can recognize theouter jacket surface 100' which is arranged in a graduated manner andcomprises two cylindrical ring surfaces 101, 101' which are distanced inthe axial direction and are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis Xand two conical sliding surfaces 102, 102' which are situated adjacentthereto and are inwardly inclined obliquely as well as a ring surface103 which connects the two conical sliding surfaces 102, 102'.

During the swivelling movement of the lever 82 which is arranged on thecontrol body 95 the cylinder pins 105, 105' and 107, 107' or the ballsslide along the sliding and bearing surfaces of the control body 95 andthe coupling element 100 in such a way that in this process the secondcoupling element 100, which is operatively connected with the switchshaft 30, is displaced forcibly and depending on the direction ofrotation of the control body 95 in the axial direction from the positionas shown in FIG. 17 into the position as shown in FIG. 18 or vice-versa.The direction of movement of the control body 95 in the direction ofarrow Z or Z' which is effected by the swivelling movement in thedirection of the arrow 3" or 4" of the lever 82 occurs analogously tothe movement of the control body 85 as has been explained above inconnection with FIG. 12 and 13.

Notice shall be taken here that the invention is not limited to theembodiments as described above and represented in the FIGS. 1 to 20.Further embodiments are also possible without departing from theprincipal idea of the invention, i.e. to achieve a thrust movement ofthe switch shaft 30 oriented in the axial direction of the longitudinalaxis and the thus operatively connected functional elements by aswivelling movement oriented about the longitudinal axis X.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for actuating a switch shaftconnected with a switchable bottom bracket bearing gear for a pedaldrive vehicle, comprising,a hollow-cylindrical drive shaft havingopposite ends; a switch shaft coaxially supported within the drive shaftand capable of moving therewith; a first coupling member arranged at afirst end of the drive shaft so that the switch shaft and the firstcoupling member are jointly displaceable in an axial direction relativeto the drive shaft and rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the driveshaft to connect in a form-locking manner with power-transmittingfunctional elements of the bottom bracket bearing gear; and a secondcoupling member arranged at the other end of the switch shaft; and acontrol body, said control body is held on the drive shaft and orientedabout the longitudinal axis of said shaft, said second coupling memberis operatively connected with said control body and to at least oneactuating member, in such a way that, through a swiveling movement ofthe control body about the longitudinal axis, said control body togetherwith the switch shaft is moved in an axial direction, and whereinthrough this axial movement, said first coupling member on the driveshaft can be brought into a position whereby a form locked engagingconnection with the functional elements is made.
 2. The apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the control body has at least one guidegroove at its outer circumference, oriented at an acute angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and swivellableabout said longitudinal axis relative to the at least one actuatingmember which engages in the guide groove.
 3. The apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a stationary casing element having at leastone adjustable pin for engagement with the at least one guide groove insaid control body, and wherein said control body is located in the firstactuating member which is formed as a hood, said control body broughtinto a form-locking engagement by at least one stop cam located on aninner side of the first actuating member to be engaged with at least oneassociated recess in the control body, for a joint swivelling movementabout the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft with the first and secondactuating member relative to said stationary casing element.
 4. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising at least onecompression spring which is arranged on the inner side of the at leastone actuating member, and wherein the control body is swivellablejointly therewith against a restoring force of the compression spring,relative to the casing element and about the longitudinal axis of thedrive shaft.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein thecompression spring rests with a one end on a projection extending from afirst face wall and with an other end on a shoulder extending from saidprojection and also on a stop arranged on the fixed casing element, saidspring is brought into a pretensioned position by the swivellingmovement of the first actuating member oriented relative thereto aboutthe longitudinal axis returned to an original position by its restoringforce.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the secondactuating member is held with a disc-shaped flange on a shoulder of thestationary casing element, thereby occluding the hood-shaped firstactuating member against outside manipulation, said second actuatingmember is swivellable jointly about the joint longitudinal axis with thefirst actuating member and the control body against the restoring forceof the compression spring.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a second actuating member that is adjacent to andconnected to the first actuating member which is operatively connectedwith the control body, said second actuating member provided with anarc-shaped groove for securing a tension member arranged in said groove.8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control body isprovided with two or more one guide grooves which are arranged mutuallydistributed in the circumferential direction.
 9. An apparatus as claimedin claim 1, further comprising at least one driving pin through whichthe control body is operatively connected with a second coupling member,said driving pin penetrating the drive shaft transversally to thelongitudinal axis and is guided in at least one longitudinal slotprovided in the drive shaft; and also guided in an annular grooveprovided on the control body.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9,wherein the driving pin is provided with a wedge-shaped indentationalong a longitudinal dimension, and further comprising a ball to whichthe driving pin is operatively connected, said ball is supported by sidewalls of the indentation and resting in a spring-elastic manner on theswitch shaft in such a way that the driving pin is arranged and guidedcentrally with respect to the longitudinal axis in the annular groove ofthe control body.
 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising first and second cylinder pins which are in operativeconnection with the control body and the second coupling member which issecured to the switch shaft, said cylinder pins are distributed in acircumferential direction and distanced in an axial direction relativeto the coupling member; and wherein the control body and the secondcoupling member each have mutually facing sliding and control surfaces,such that moving the control body in an axial direction when swivellingthe control body about the longitudinal axis, the cylinder pins cause amovement which is oriented in the axial direction of the second couplingmember.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the controlbody has an inner jacket surface which is configured in a graduatedmanner and wherein the sliding surfaces of the control body are twocylindrical shaped first sliding surfaces which are distanced in theaxial direction, and wherein the control surfaces comprise two controlsurfaces which are configured to be inwardly obliquely inclined withrespect thereto and a second slide surface which mutually connects thetwo inclined control surfaces.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12,further comprising a bracket with tension and thrust members, saidbracket being in operative connection with the actuating member which isoriented about the longitudinal axis by means of the tension and thrustmembers and wherein the swiveling movement of the actuating member iseffected through the bracket and by means of the tension and thrustmembers.
 14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first andsecond cylinder pins are moving in an axial direction so as to be inengagement with the sliding and control surfaces of the control body andthe second coupling member, and wherein the pins are inserted in boreswhich are arranged in a second section of the drive shaft and orientedtransversally to the longitudinal axis and oriented diametrically withrespect to one another, and wherein the cylinder pins are guided withinthe bores relative to one another transversally to the longitudinal axisdepending on the sliding and control surfaces of the second couplingmember.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first andsecond cylinder pins are provided with first ends facing the sliding andcontrol surfaces of the control body and second ends the second couplingmember, said first and second ends being configured with one of arounded-off shape or a spherical shape.
 16. An apparatus as claimed inclaim 11, wherein at least two mutually superimposed balls are arrangedin the bores between the mutually facing sliding and control surfaces ofthe control body and of the coupling member.
 17. An apparatus as claimedin claim 11, wherein the second coupling member has an outer graduatedjacket surface and two first cylindrical sliding surfaces distanced inthe axial direction and two control surfaces which are inclined inwardlyobliquely with respect thereto and a second sliding surface whichmutually connects the two inclined control surfaces.
 18. An apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising an actuating member connected tothe fixed casing element, said actuating member is swivellable relativeto the fixed casing element about the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft and is operatively connected with the control body in such a waythat during the swivelling movement of the actuating member in an innerspace of the same, the coupling member and the control body are jointlydisplaceable with the switch shaft in the axial direction relative tothe fixed casing element.
 19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18,further comprising a third actuating member, and wherein the controlbody is at one end operatively connected to the fixed casing elementelement by a first actuating member and at another end to the thirdactuating member by at least a second actuating member, and wherein thesecond actuating member is fastened to the first actuating member andhas an attached section, said attached section is engaged in a recessprovided on the fixed casing element element and oriented in thecircumferential direction, so that the swivelling movement of the secondactuating member is guided in the recess thereby limiting the swivellingmovement of the actuating member.
 20. An apparatus as claimed in claim1, further comprising a lever with tension and thrust members, saidlever being connected to the control body, and wherein the swivelingmovement of the control body oriented about the longitudinal axis, iseffected through the lever which is actuated by means of the tension andthrust members.